5 lessons on grant writing for postdocs
In June, we wrapped up a series of workshops on Grant Writing, led by Dr. Lisa Nielsen from Purdue University. Before Dr. Nielsen became the Director of the Postdoc Office at Purdue, she was an experienced grant writer and was able to deliver training for grant writing specifically designed for postdocs.
Here are 5 lessons from the Grant Writing for Postdocs workshops
- Start early! Even if you have written successful grant proposals before, you have to do more than just write the narrative. There are collaborators to get on board, letters of support to gather, and a budget to prepare, all of which involves more than just the grant writer. Give yourself at least 6 months from the time you decide to apply for the grant until the due date.
- It’s okay to start with the summary. I always felt like it was cheating to start with the summary – as if you didn’t really know where you are going until you have written the full narrative first and pull elements from it to write the summary or abstract. This is silly. If it’s easier to write the summary first, then do that. Whatever makes the most sense to you is what you should do.
- Contact the program officer. The better grant readers know you and know what you are trying to do, the better your chances are of getting the grant. If you have questions about the process of if your research is a good fit for their solicitation, contact the grantor by email. Don’t call. Include a polished paragraph summary of your proposal idea or short project summary so they can answer your question accurately
- Don’t write your grant like you would a journal article. When writing a grant, identify a clear need and clearly state what you will do to satisfy that need and how you will do it. Be persuasive!
- Letters of Support are NOT letters of recommendation. Letters of support should not just state that doing the research is a good idea, they are meant to convey what the collaborator will provide, such as insights to the project design, data interpretation, access to equipment, training for the applicant, etc.
If you missed one or more of the workshops the recordings and slides are available. Please send an email to [email protected] for access.
More stories from the Graduate Insider
Behind the scenes of your thesis or dissertation: Meet the Graduate College format advisors
There comes a point in every graduate student’s journey when the research is complete, the analysis is finished and the defense is in sight.
Then reality sets in: The margins have to be exact. The abstract has specific requirements. Style must be adhered to precisely and correctly.
Formatting can feel like the final obstacle between you and graduation. The Graduate College is here to offer support to make sure you can overcome and finish strong.
Meet ASU’s 2025–26 Outstanding Faculty Mentors
In physics, mentorship may unfold at a whiteboard covered in equations. In biology, it might take shape in conversations about failure and resilience. In education and higher education, it often emerges through dialogue about justice, identity and voice. Across Arizona State University, mentorship looks different in every discipline, but at its core it reflects a shared commitment to helping scholars grow into their authority.
